Bureaucracy isn't always bad

Question 1

The western electric illumination studies

Answer 1

Interested in how changes in the work environment impacts productivity
- different types of lighting and temperature to see if it would effect productivity

Unexpected results
-no Clea pattern, as the studies progressed workers were working harder and harder

Question 2

Hawthorne effects

Answer 2

workers became more productive because of the attention they received regardless of their work environment

fact that they were being studied influenced their productivity

Question 3

What are the effects of the bureaucratic work environment on long-term health care staff?

Answer 3

Role conflict
workload
centralization (hierarchy of authority, chain of command)
formalization

Question 4

2 positive

2 negative

Answer 4

Role conflict and workload = negative, less happy with your job

Formalization and Centralization = positive
the more centralization the decision making, and the more formalized the procedures are the happier the workers are

Question 5

results

Answer 5

Workers who experienced more role conflict and workload were less satisfied.

Workers who report greater centralization of decision making in upper hierarchical levels and greater formalization for rules and procedures are more satisfied.

Centralization and formalization were positively correlated with one another (Table 3). Two characteristics of bureaucracy are found together, not really an either or situation but both functioning together at the same time

Question 6

Under what conditions would centralization of decision making and formalization of rules and procedures make your job easier?

Answer 6

Conflict- go straight to procedure

Question 7

Under what conditions would centralization of decision making and formalization of rules and procedures make your job more stressful?

Answer 7

Longer to get communication from the top to the bottom

Working different shifts, and the supervisors may not be there (gaps and inefficiencies in communications)

Formalizations of the rules consistent with how the workers should care for their patients and perform their jobs

Disconnect from what high level workers think versus those at the bottom (Lack of understanding)

Question 8

Limitations

Answer 8

Any limitations?
Sample being largely Caucasian women, formalization and centralization is working for them if they are the same race

Work load – she only used on item, and she didn’t tell us where it came from.
Not a wide range of responses.

Something we perceive, like to have multiple Indicators of it. Ex: 1 MC question for your 25% of your total grade.

Causal relationship
The more your workload is the less satisfied you are
The reverse could happen
If you are dissatisfied with your job – then you perceive your workload as being overwhelming